“Orphans” at Ansbach’s Terrace Playhouse follows two adult orphans with limited emotional and academic intelligence as they navigate their dysfunctionally functional relationship.

In an old row house in north Philadelphia, we meet two men living in squalor and trying to make ends meet. Phillip (Emil Navarrete) is unable to live outside of the apartment and is completely dependent on his older brother. Treat (Marco a. Contreras) has violent tendencies, but his pick-pocketing and armed thievery provides financial support for the two.

Directed by Alyssa Brown, the small three-member cast pulled me instantly into their dramatic world. The show is a dark story with moments of comedy sprinkled in.

Undertones of codependency are evident in both siblings, but it is obvious that Treat is emotionally and physically abusive of his younger brother. Phillip is isolated and told that his allergies would not be healthy outside, so he does not leave the house. In turn, he hides his activities and compulsively lies about things like learning to read in order to placate his disapproving older sibling. The actors encapsulate these characters as if they were frozen at the age in which they became orphaned; they are tethered to each other in a childlike state.

The brother’s living room is the only space where we see them interact. In act one, it is run down and barely livable. However, in the second act, it quickly changes into a home as the brothers are affected by having a person who can care for them.

When Treat brings home Harold (Stephen Wykle) his main objective Is to leverage the situation for money. But all is not as it seems, and a new power dynamic creates insecurities in the apartment. Harold brings a level of maturity and affection, with a type of loving, gangster father stability that leaves each brother wanting his approval.

The physicality of the actors is outstanding. Between the choreographed fights, jumping across the stage while tied to a chair or tumbling down a flight of stairs – it is highly impressive. I can only imagine what rehearsals with director Alyssa Brown were like; she has successfully coached these three men to be physically aggressive, verbally abusive and also loving at the same time.

It is a very emotional and strangely relatable performance.

After the final scene, I sat for several moments processing what I had just experienced. I was so enamored by the acting and storytelling, I forgot where I was. Hearing other audience members crying snapped me out of my trance and I remembered to applaud the incredible talent. I also had to process the fact that this was art in front of me and not reality. When the cast came to mingle in the lobby, I wanted to hug Navarrette and tiptoe around Contreras.

I highly recommend that the community watch and experience this story.

Performances

Tickets can be reserved online via Webtrac, at MWR Central in the PX, or by cash-only payment at the door.

Community Theaters